Tag Archives: Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings keep showing the world how NOT to run an NBA team.

Owner Vivek Ranadive was supposed to bring life to the stagnant Kings franchise, but since he took over ownership a few years ago, they just keep making huge mistakes.

The Kings agreed to trade potential franchise cornerstone DeMarcus Cousins (and Omri Casspi and a second-round 2017 pick) to the New Orleans Pelicans for rookie Buddy Hield, former Kings player Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and a top-three protected first-round pick.

I realize Cousins was a cancer in the Kings locker room, but I think he’s at a level that a team in Sacramento’s current situation should exhaust all attempts to appease him. I realize that the Kings were going to have to pony up a huge contract extension soon, but I think this trade was a huge mistake.

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday and many teams are looking make some deals. There are a handful of teams that want improve their roster for the playoffs and the rest are basically trying to dump as many assets they can. Those assets are usually expiring contracts, but a few quality players do get moved at the deadline.

Goran Dragic, who won the Most Improved Player award last season (and even got a few MVP votes), looks to be on the move. He made it clear he won’t re-signing with the Phoenix Suns next year. Even though Phoenix is currently holding onto the 8th playoff spot in the West, they can’t afford to let him walk without getting anything in return.

Where will Dragic end up? What kind of deal will Phoenix get in return?

Josh Smith finally ‘perimeter shot’ his way out of Detroit. The Pistons decided to cut him and if he clears waivers (and he will), they will be on the hook for the remainder of his contract…a hefty $26 million.

Head coach and team president Stan Van Gundy put his foot down with this move. Smith could get away with poorly shooting long jumpers when his head coach wasn’t involved with personnel. Detroit has a long way to go to rebuild. Dumping Smith was a smart, long-term decision for the franchise.

The Sacramento Kings are the most intriguing team in the NBA. Not only do they have Boogie Cousins on the roster, but new owner Vivek Ranadivé pitched the idea of 4-on-5 defense. It would be similar to what Loyola Marymount ran in the late 80’s.

I plan on spending many nights switching back-and-forth between the marquee game of the night and random Kings games. I doubt they will use the proposed defense, but I’m all about outside-the-box thinkers in leadership roles.

We will be posting a team preview for every team up until the start of the regular season.